Why is there a heatwave in Southern California?
As of October 15, 2026, a Santa Ana wind event is bringing unusually hot weather to Southern California, with heat advisories extending north along the Central Coast to Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.
Santa Ana winds are dry offshore winds that blow from the interior deserts toward the Pacific Ocean. The air warms and dries further as it descends from the mountains to the coast, which is why the warmest temperatures are expected along the coast and in coastal valleys (1).
Highs are expected to reach the upper 80s to mid-90s Fahrenheit, around 31 to 35 degrees Celsius.
Which cities or areas are affected by the heatwave?
Heat advisories cover coastal areas from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, as well as inland Orange County. Affected cities and areas include:
- Los Angeles: Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Long Beach, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Compton, Downey, Norwalk, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and the LAX area
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Orange: Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Garden Grove, and Fullerton
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San Diego: Chula Vista, National City, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas, and Vista
- Ventura: East Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Port Hueneme, and Point Mugu
- Santa Barbara: Goleta, Montecito, Carpinteria, Santa Maria, Lompoc, Buellton, and Gaviota
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San Luis Obispo: Morro Bay, Cambria, Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande, Avila Beach, and Nipomo
Temperatures up to 95°F are expected across Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties and inland Orange County. Coastal Orange and San Diego counties are expected to see highs from the upper 80s to the mid-90s °F.
How long will the heatwave last?
Heat advisories are in effect from 10 A.M. PDT Thursday, October 15, to 8 P.M. PDT Saturday, October 17. The heatwave is expected to last about two and a half days, with temperatures peaking on Friday, October 16.
Cooling should begin over the weekend, with a more substantial temperature drop expected early next week as offshore winds weaken and ocean air returns.
Are there any alerts in place?
Heat advisories warn of an increased risk of heat illness across the affected coastal and inland communities. Wind advisories and high wind warnings also cover parts of the region.
Inland Orange County is under a Wind Advisory until noon PDT Saturday, with northeast winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts of 35 to 55 mph. Gusts could reach 70 mph near the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. The Malibu Coast and affected coastal and inland coastal areas of Ventura County are under a Wind Advisory from 6 A.M. Thursday through 8 P.M. PDT Friday, with similar wind speeds.
Red Flag Warnings cover much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through 8 P.M. PDT Saturday. Strong winds and low humidity could cause any new wildfire to spread rapidly and exhibit extreme fire behavior.
Residents can call 3-1-1 within the City of Los Angeles or 2-1-1 in Los Angeles County for cooling center locations, and register for NotifyLA to receive emergency alerts during extreme weather (2).
To reduce the risk of heat-related illness, drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned spaces, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during peak heat, and check on relatives and neighbors. Never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle.
Call 911 immediately if someone shows signs of heat stroke, such as confusion, loss of consciousness, or a very high body temperature. Their skin may be hot and dry or sweaty. Move the person to a cooler place and begin cooling them with wet cloths while waiting for emergency assistance.
